Wednesday, April 2, 2008

If You Want to Write...

The more local a writing contest is, the more likely you are to win it. The more local it is, the less entries there will be. There will always be at least fifty or sixty percent of entries that don't follow the rules or are completely impossible. So your odds are better. I was beating myself over the head because I missed a writing contest, and after seeing the winners, knew I could have placed. Darn it.

But, I did tell my English teacher about an essay contest on To Kill a Mockingbird. Our class is reading To Kill a Mockingbird. She has now created an opportunity for anyone in her classes to enter the competition, send her a copy, and earn an extra credit test grade. I feel popular-- except now I have a lot more competition to win this shindig.

P.S. Innovative issues will now be posting on SATURDAYS, allowing readers to relax with the weekend and WORD.

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This Week in Innovation

Innovative: A Word for the WriTeen

Welcome to Innovative, a website that can't decide whether it's a blog or an e-zine but enjoys the best of both worlds without ever quoting Miley Cyrus.

Innovative is here for those who think teenagers and writing make a smooth combination, and who enjoy book reviews. We primarily publish reviews through a writer's eye-- looking at writing style, characterization, originality and whether Gabrielle liked it or not.

Innovative publishes sporadic reviews and thoughts, mainly dependant on the schedule of Gabrielle's new collegiate life.

About Me

I'm the primary blogger of Innovative: A Word for the Teen. In the past, I've done everything from guest-blogging for New Moon to writing a column for KidMagWriters.com, and being published 40+ times in between. I write sporadic reviews of new books from a writer's perspective, and occasionally offer advice to teen writers when I'm not being a college freshman. Find out more about my success in Chicken Soup: Extraordinary Teens, now available in stores.

The Best Books of 2008

For Authors and Their Publicists

I love to help authors spread the word about their books, and am very happy to work with publicists to arrange giveaways, interviews and book reviews. I just have a few guidelines.

Fiction:I review mostly young adult. I am willing to look at upper middle grade and adult if relevant to a teen audience, but this is on a case-by-case basis.

Nonfiction:Nonfiction must have to relate to some form of writing or writing by teenagers. Writing guides, market guides, how-tos, memoirs about writing, etc., are the best bet. And if a teen or group of teens have written a book, I'm interested.